Franklin Graham’s national tour of state capitols started in Des Moines on January 5, 2016. A crowd of 2,500 braved the 28 degree temperatures.
Madison should be a lot warmer when the evangelist visits on June 15th for a rally on the steps of the capitol building.
About 160 pastors and volunteers gathered at the Monona Terrace Convention Center on Tuesday, March 15th, to learn details of the rally and receive bundles of promotional information.
Even though the Decision America Tour has a political tone with visits to state capitols during an election year, Graham is making a call to faith, not a call to back one party or candidate over another.
“Our hope is not in politics, our hope is in Jesus Christ,” said spokesman Justin Hoover, as he introduced a video. In the video, Graham said, “The only hope I have for this country is if the church stands up and gets involved. We’re asking people to pray, and vote, and engage in your community.”
While the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is known for evangelism, the Decision America campaign is calling the Christian church to prayer and revival, said BGEA regional coordinator Don Matolyak. He noted the revival themed scripture passage in II Chronicles 7:14 puts the focus on the followers of God: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from the wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.”
Matolyak said there will be no politicians and no pastors on the platform when Franklin Graham comes to Madison. “The focus will be on God,” he said. “Almighty God is the only hope for America.” However, in addition to asking people to pray for America, Matolyak said that Graham will ask people to prayerfully consider getting involved in politics and running for political office.
Today, the Decision America Tour was in Phoenix, Arizona.